LEWISTON — Aquila Theatre Company, in collaboration with L/A Arts and Bates College, will perform Edmond Rostand’s “Cyrano de Bergerac” on Thursday, Sept. 27, at Bates College.

Beautifully funny, poignant and often heart-rending, “Cyrano de Bergerac” is one of the most famous romantic adventures in world literature.

Cyrano is an excellent swordsman from Gascony, a region of France famous for producing stubborn, courageous and grandiose soldiers. He is besotted with the beautiful and alluring Roxanne, and yet, because of his famously huge nose, the forlorn Cyrano believes he can never truly win her heart. He, therefore, keeps his love for her a personal and painful secret.

In this classic story of unrequited love, Cyrano befriends the handsome Christian de Neuvillette, who helps him woo Roxanne by composing elegant love letters and teaching him the arts of eloquence, courtship and poetry. Living his love vicariously through Christian, Cyrano’s passionate adventure unfolds on a journey through the romantic streets of Paris, dramatic battlefield of Arras and placid cloisters of the convent where the story reaches its dramatic conclusion.

“Cyrano de Bergerac” was first staged to great acclaim at the Theater de la Porte St. Martin in 1897. The play immediately thrust Rostand to prominence and led “Cyrano” to become one of the most famous French plays of the late 19th century. The story, based on a true historical figure, still attracts audiences today, both on the stage and in film. Notable film productions of this tale include Jose Ferrer’s Oscar-winning performance in 1950, Gerard Depardieu’s in 1990 and Steve Martin’s modern American version, “Roxanne.”

Go and do

WHAT: “Cyrano de Bergerac”

WHO: Aquila Theatre Company

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27

WHERE: Schaeffer Theater, Bates College, 305 College St., Lewiston

TICKETS: $15, call 782-7228 or visit www.laarts.org

NOTE: Preshow discussion, 6:30 p.m., Bates College Chapel, 275 College St., Lewiston; free